If there was ever a scenario for Red Bulls fans where the team wasn’t able to get a victory, Wednesday night’s game against Chivas USA played out about as perfectly as they could hope for.

Former Red Bulls captain Juan Pablo Angel made his first return to Red Bull Arena since his departure following the 2010 season and scored a goal, and the two teams played out a 1-1 tie before a crowd of 13,919.

“It was emotional to be back here,” Angel said. “You obviously in the back of your head have all the memories of the time you spent here, this organization, the supporters, driving to the training ground. But when you start the game it’s another game and you want to win it regardless of where you’re playing, who you are playing against.”

It was clear from the start the fans hadn’t forgotten Angel’s franchise-record 19 goals in 2007 or his record 58 regular-season goals and 62 in all competitions.

During player introductions, fans gave Angel, now the Chivas captain, a loud cheer, and those sitting in the supporters’ section paraded a banner that said “Gracias Juan Pablo Siempre New York.”

Also, in honor of Angel, when the clock reached 9:00 (Angel wore No. 9 with the Red Bulls), the fans sang a one-minute tribute to him.

“It was great. I wasn’t expecting it,” Angel said. “Those are the kind of things nobody can take away from you. People come and go, and when you know that people remember you it’s because they appreciate what you did for them, for the season and for the club in the years that I was here. So for me it meant everything.

“I will always be grateful with the supporters of this club just for giving me the opportunity to express myself for a few years. Those memories will never go away.”

The tribute seem to lift Angel, who has played in just five games this year as he recovers from a concussion. He hit the base of the left post in the 25th minute before scoring in the 47th with a spinning volley off a header from a corner kick.

“I had an opportunity in the first half that I took that had the goalkeeper (beat). Unfortunately, it hit the post,” Angel said “You’re begging for another chance, but you know that in this type of game you may not have another opportunity, so when I hit the post I was extremely disappointed. When I had the second I knew I wasn’t going to miss.”

The Red Bulls, however, quickly tied the score when forward Kenny Cooper knocked home a cross from midfielder Dane Richards in the 56th minute.

The tie denied the Red Bulls (8-3-2) from earning what would have been a franchise-record sixth straight victory.

“Fantastic,” Chivas coach Robin Fraser said. “When I went out and saw the huge 'Thank you Juan Pablo' sign I thought ‘what an impact he has had on this city.’ To come back here today and score the goal, it was fitting.”